Applicant

What type of school/college do/did you attend? Independent – selective

GCSE or a similar equivalent taken: yes (5 A*,1 A)

A-levels

AS: Biology (A at AS)

A2: Chemistry (NA at AS; predicted NA; gained NA at A2)

A2: Economics (NA at AS; predicted NA; gained NA at A2)

A2: Mathematics (A at AS; predicted NA; gained A at A2)

A2: Mathematics (Further) (NA at AS; predicted NA; gained NA at A2)

A2: Physics (A at AS; predicted NA; gained A at A2)

Details about the offer

Type of offer: conditional

Specific conditions: A in Economics

Other conditions: AAB, Excludes Physics

Have you accepted the offer? yes

Have you applied to other universities you consider very close, ‘on par’ or even better than oxbridge? (Ivies, Sorbonne, LSE..others for different subjects) N/A

Have you met the offer? grades pending/unknown

Decisions about the application

For what reasons did you apply to Oxbridge?

One of the best and toughest courses in the country. Prestige. I didn’t want to go to uni in a big city.

How did you decide between Oxford and Cambridge?

I wanted to do straight economics, not economics + management/politics & philosophy. Also, I heard that the economics courses at Cambridge were more mathematical (which I think I would prefer) than the ones at Oxford.

Why did you choose this college/make an open application?

Recommended to me by the Head of Economis at my school. I went to the open day and it seemed a nice place.

Preparation

Did your school/college give you any extra tuition or help prior to your interview or application? yes

A bit… but not much. We were given a few pep talks (work hard, read lots etc..). We were given a reading list in the summer with some suggestions. Finally, we were given a v. short mock interview- it was useful in that it made me a bit more relaxed about the interview process.

Do you have any advice for future applicants in terms of preparation?

Be absolutely on top of the stuff in the A-level syllabus.

Read lots of books- I particuarly like Paul Krugman’s books. Also, there is an archive of his (very insightful) articles at http://www.pkarchive.org,

Interview

Did you have to sit any pre-interview exams (LNAT/BMAT/..)? no

Did you have to submit any written work prior to the interview? no

Did you have to take any exams as part of your interview(s)? no

How was/were in general your interview(s)?

Had two 20 minute interviews, each with one economics don. Both were scheduled quite close to each other.

My first interview seemed very factual- testing what I knew. Mainly picking up on things I mentioned in my personal statement (books, interests[economics ones that is], Target 2.5 etc).

Second one had a few extended questions.

What questions were you asked during your interview(s)?

I was quite surprised at the questions- they were pretty standard fare. I was expecting some very scary, very very hard weird off beat questions, but they didn’t come. Nothing you woudn’t encounter in your standard textbook (Samuelson?). Thats not to say I waltzed through. I certainly messed up quite a few, and most of my answers were pretty unconvincing. To be honest, I felt my performance was pretty ordinary and I was surprised I got an offer.

What did you wear to your interview(s), and why?

A dark suit. Our school told us to wear one to our mock interview so I assumed that is what they recommended for the real thing! I would agree with them. It just makes you look that little bit more keen and enthusiastic I think. But then again, it is a minor issue (IMO that is- you’d best be off asking the admissions tutors), if you’re good they’ll take you whatever you’re wearing.

Impressions

What was your general impression of the college that you applied to/any others you visited?

Looks beautiful. Both the buildings themselves and the large lawns in the central area.

If seen, please describe the college accommodation eg. size of rooms, facilities.

The room I stayed in was awesome. It was quite small, but very nice. Ensuite bathroom and nice furniture and fittings. Seemed very hotel-like (Definitely gunning for the conference market :)). But then again, I’m told that the block I stayed in is one of the nicest in the college- I doubt all the acommadation is that nice.

How was the food provided by the college?

Good

Way better than any school food I’ve ever had.

How did you find the tutors in the college?

Friendly. But I only met them during the interview.

Generally, what were the college students like (from what you saw of them)?

Didn’t see much of them to be honest. There were a few who were in the waiting room to keep us company. Seemed very friendly.

Final stage

Please describe what happened when you received the letter/the call telling you whether you had a place or not.

Smiled.

I felt really relieved.

Looking back

If you were to re-live that year of your life again, would you still apply?

Definitely. Although the whole application process was a bit of a pain, the end result was worth it :). Even if I hadn’t have got a place I would say the same. Otherwise I would spend the rest of my life wondering whether I would have.

What advice do you have for potential applicants based on your experiences?

Even if your interviews doesn’t go well (mine didn’t), don’t worry, all is not lost.

Suggested Resources:

Gain access to tutors at the leading Oxbridge Applications Consultancy firm